Clematis patens Joséphine - Early Large-flowered Clematis

Place the Clematis 'Joséphine' in a shady spot to keep it cool, using a mulch made of garden compost or well-rotted manure in February, avoiding contact with the stem. This will reduce the risk of wilting and encourage new vigorous shoots from the stump. You can also keep the base cool with a ground cover plant or a perennial geranium. Place the head of the Clematis in the sun. Plant it by covering the root ball with 3 cm (1in) of soil, in a well-worked soil of 20 cm (8in), enriched with good compost. The enemy of the Clematis is excess water, so it is important to water regularly but sparingly and not directly on the stems. Prune any dead or weak stems in early March before the start of growth, and cut back the others to about 30 cm (12in) above the ground. This will help to thicken the plant and increase its flowering. Remove faded flowers for a longer flowering period. Clematis plants cling on their own with their tendrils. To promote their growth, provide them with a trellis support or let them dress the trunk of a tree by placing a wire mesh around it. Clematis also enjoy growing freely on neighbouring plants.